Author: frdave (Fr. Dave Nuss)

Although our buildings are closed, our church is alive as the Body of Christ in a variety of positive ways. I continue to be amazed and uplifted hearing numerous accounts of how you are investing yourselves in your families. Saint Pope John Paul II (+2005) repeatedly exalted the domestic church – the home church –...

Practice Daily Prayer. If you practice daily prayer, persevere. If you have not acquired the habit, begin today. Don’t worry about the words. Don’t’ worry about what happens. Simply show up and spend time with Jesus in conversation with Him. “I love the LORD, who listened to my voice in supplication, Who turned an ear...

It is a great comfort to everyone bristling with difficulties from lives having been turned upside down to meet the gentle guiding presence of our Mother. What peace we find when we look to Mary and draw near to Jesus through her. With her everything becomes easier – the weary, discouraged heart agitated by storms finds...

We all are trying to see by the divine light after having our lives turned upside down by the Covid-19 contagion. The same divine light enabling the Samaritan woman (cf. John 4) and man born blind (cf. John 9) seeks to meet us exactly where we are and scatter the darkness! Kindly permit me to...

Last week it was a Samaritan woman (John 4:5-42). Hardened by her own daily struggle and poor life choices, Jesus (still!) meets her right where she is. Jesus goes to her and invites her to think beyond her disappointment and suffering. Initially skeptical, she slowly comes to see GOD clearly and, then, to worship HIM...

The central feature of Saint Joseph’s soul is one of complete confidence and total abandonment to God’s will. First, Joseph seeks to know God’s way and, then, he commits to making God’s plan is own. The Gospel writer Matthew’s Gospel describes Joseph as “a just man” (Matthew 1:19). God’s Word teaches that “the just man...

Virtues are good habits acquired through the repetition of doing what is right with the help of grace. Virtues are grown. Typically, we see others doing what is right and, then, practice what we see. In the same way an athlete improves physical excellence and a musician sharpens aesthetic excellence by dedicated practice, so, too,...

“With contrite heart and humble spirit let us be received” (Daniel 3:39). Earlier today at Mass, these words from the prophet Daniel resounded. Charity changes the human heart in ways that makes room, even for those who do not understand us or fail to respond to our genuine care and concern. These days it is...

Effectively immediately faithful Catholics living in Ohio now are no longer are permitted to attend Sunday Mass due to the COVID-19 virus. The Ohio bishops just announced the suspension of all publicly celebrated Masses, al least through the celebrations of Holy Week and Easter. Please join me in offering our very real sacrifices to remain...

Jesus said to his disciples: “In praying, do not babble like the pagans” (Matthew 6:7). Resist the urge to dash through your prayers. Our conversation with God loses meaning when are not attentive and deliberate. Like a meeting with a dear and trusted friend, the point of prayer is not to complete a long volley...